Fundraising Event for Bill de Blasio’s 2017 Re-Election Bid Canceled

Yetanotherwrinkle for the de Blasio administration… and a sign the Feds are closing in on the big fish. As reported, de Blasio’s retained attorney for the matter, Barry Berke, once represented former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik in a federal corruption case in which he was convicted. We’re not ones for empty speculation, but amidst reports of escorts-on-jets and a Shomrim “arms dealer,” we’d be hard-pressed not to think more indictments are forthcoming.

A lawyer representing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 2013 campaign has canceled a cocktail reception to raise money for the mayor’s 2017 re-election bid, according to an email reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

The lawyer, Barry Berke, postponed the April 26 event in an email sent Monday afternoon. At the mayor’s request, Mr. Berke contacted the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan last week to offer the mayor’s cooperation amid an investigation into Mr. de Blasio’s fundraising activities.

“As some of you may know, my day job is overlapping with our community involvement,” the email to donors and supporters said. “In light of my role representing the Mayor’s 2013 campaign committee, we’ve decided to postpone our event.”

Mr. Berke didn’t respond to a request for comment.

A spokesman for the mayor declined to comment. Mr. de Blasio hasn’t been accused of any wrongdoing.

Mr. de Blasio’s re-election campaign held a fundraising strategy session at Mr. Berke’s Midtown law firm in January.

Federal prosecutors are looking into Mr. de Blasio’s campaign fundraising, particularly two donors who served on the mayor’s inauguration committee.

Last week, Mark Peters, the 2013 campaign treasurer who is now commissioner of the city’s Department of Investigation, recused himself from various probes into Mr. de Blasio’s administration.

Some lobbyists have said they are advising their clients not to give money until questions are answered in the investigation.